Dr Thomas Blevins Accepts Invitation to Become Bluefield State College Interim President

(Bluefield)—For the second time in nine years, Dr. Thomas Blevins has accepted an invitation from the Bluefield State College Board of Directors to become BSC’s Interim President. The invitation was extended to Dr. Blevins after a special meeting of the Board, following the decision by Dr. Albert Walker in late August to resign as BSC President to accept the presidency at Harris-Stowe State University in Missouri.

Dr. Blevins was BSC’s Interim President in 2002 during the period prior to the hiring of Dr. Walker as BSC’s 12th President. A career educator and administrator who has worked at BSC since 1977, Blevins enters his new assignment with a strong understanding of the College and the constituencies it serves.

“I’ve been fortunate to have served Bluefield State College in 17 positions through the years,” he commented. “In fact, there are not too many facets of the Institution with which I am not familiar.” He also worked for 11 years as the Special Assistant to the Chancellor for Technology and Director of Instructional Technology Planning and Coordination with the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission (WV HEPC). “This has helped me to understand the relationship between HEPC and the State Legislature, as well as the dynamic of working as BSC’s liaison with both groups,” he continued.

The challenges and opportunities that face Dr. Blevins and the College are significant. “There’s a lot to be done in the area of academic affairs,” he said. “We have a new Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Lewis Jones, and the Institution is poised to make changes in that area. We need to develop new academic programs and new online programs.”

His calendar also includes issues related to the College’s effort to obtain university status. “We have two specialty program accreditation visits this year, and we will review the report from the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association site visit team, following its visit to BSC as the College seeks approval of a continuing ten year period for institutional accreditation. We will address issues that will strengthen the ability of our intercollegiate athletic programs to fulfill the standards of operation established by our conference and the NCAA, as well.”

“We need to support the growth of the development office at the College, consider student housing, acquire property adjacent to the Institution, beautify the campus, and seek grant funding to assist in the renovation of the Harris-Jefferson Student Center, the Ned Shott P.E. Building, and the Hardway Library,” he stated.

As Interim President, Blevins will be actively engaged in leading the Institution. “The days when a college’s interim president served only as a ‘caretaker’ are over,” he said. “The dynamics of higher education within West Virginia and throughout the nation demand vision, leadership, and a proactive approach,” he said.